Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce
The American-Made Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce (Upskill Prize) is an approximately $7.75 million prize designed to accelerate the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce and equip workers with the skills necessary to revitalize the domestic solar manufacturing supply chain. This prize targets various facets of the U.S. solar photovoltaics (PV) module supply chain, addressing critical workforce needs.
A Prize Competition Structured for Success
The Upskill Prize encourages the expansion of the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce by rewarding proposals that focus on high-quality employment prospects and skillsets that can be utilized for career growth. Competing teams propose comprehensive workforce training plans that are composed of either or both:
- New Worker Training Develop and propose plans to train new workers with the skills they need to be successful in the solar manufacturing industry, particularly at new or expanding manufacturing facilities.
- Incumbent Worker Training Develop and propose plans to train new workers with the skills they need to be successful in the solar manufacturing industry, particularly at new or expanding manufacturing facilities.
The prize also requires partnerships between U.S. manufacturers and training organizations, aiming to attract new individuals to careers in solar manufacturing with job-ready training programs. It offers flexibility in the types of training that can be provided, based on the needs of the manufacturer.
The Upskill Prize offers a total prize pool of approximately $7.75 million in cash prizes. Winning teams receive up to $500,000 each for their submitted comprehensive workforce training plans.
Round 1 launched in March 2024 and concluded in July 2024. Round 2 launched in July 2024 and is anticipated to conclude in early 2025. Prize administrators anticipate running several rounds of the prize until the allocated funding is awarded.
Join and CompeteBuilding a Solar Workforce
To fully realize the dramatic growth of the U.S. photovoltaic (PV) module supply chain, the solar manufacturing workforce needs to scale in turn. However, domestic manufacturing of solar technologies faces numerous workforce barriers, as evidenced by responses to a DOE request for information. There is a lack of trained labor across the solar module supply chain, from entry-level to senior-level positions. Much of the necessary domestic expertise required for parts of the module supply chain, including R&D and manufacturing, has eroded and migrated overseas. Training resources and opportunities are not keeping pace with the needs of the rapidly expanding industry, leading many manufacturers to worry about the availability of skilled labor to operate advanced solar manufacturing facilities.
Wide-scale efforts to recruit, train, and support the solar manufacturing workforce are needed to reestablish U.S. competitiveness in the solar module supply chain, and reclaim high-quality jobs for U.S. workers. The regrowth of domestic solar manufacturing brings tremendous opportunity, not only to create new jobs, but also to ensure that these jobs are family sustaining careers that will help revitalize communities across the country. DOE is committed to making these jobs available to workers and provide competitive wages and benefits.
Are you a private entity, non-profit, non-federal government organization, or academic institution? You could be part of the Upskill Prize. Teams competing in this prize must be led by either a U.S.-based PV manufacturer or U.S.-based training organization.
For full eligibility requirements, please read the official rules.
Read the RulesImportant Dates
Please see the official timeline in HeroX for the most current Round 2 dates and deadlines. All dates are subject to change, including contest openings, deadlines, and announcements.
View the timeline and sign up for updates on the HeroX page.
Solutions that Help Shape the Future
Are you ready to boost the U.S. solar manufacturing workforce? Join the challenge by following the Upskill Prize on HeroX, the official prize platform.
Follow the Prize